August 10, 2017

Repairing your water heater vs. replacing it …it can be a tough decision to make! Here are a few factors to consider when making the decision:

THE AGE OF THE WATER HEATER

Repair: If your water heater is less than 10 years old, and you service it with a flush and drain service annually, it probably has years of service left.Replace: If your water heater is over a decade old it is most likely approaching the end of it’s operating life and investing in a repair probably won’t buy you much time.

THE TEMPERATURE OF YOUR WATER

Repair: If the temperature of your water hasn’t changed, and the amount of hot water produced seems to be the consistent with when the heater was installed, you should consider a repair service.Replace: Does your tank seem to struggle to bring water to the hot temperatures that it easily achieved in the past? And, if the usage of hot water in your home has remained the same, but you are all of a sudden running out of hot water this may be a sign that the unit needs to be retired.

THE AMOUNT OF YOUR ENERGY BILLS

Repair: If you have not noticed a sudden increase in your energy bills there may not be a major issue with your heater.Replace: On the other hand, if you notice a sudden spike in your home’s energy bills your water heater may be the culprit. As the years go by your heater loses efficiency. Between higher monthly energy bills and repair costs, a new unit will save you money in the long run.

WHAT THE WATER HEATER LOOKS LIKE

Repair: If a little dust and dirt is the only difference in the exterior of the water heater when comparing it to the day that it was installed, a repair may be your best bet.Replace: If leaks, puddles and/or rust colored water are visual, they may be signs that your tank is on its last leg. Don’t ignore the symptoms – all of them could point to a future flood or tank breakdown.

WHAT IS YOUR TANK SAYING TO YOU

Repair: If your tank seems to be as quiet as it has always been, you should be safe with a repair.Replace: If your tank is yelling, screeching, rumbling or just louder in general it is trying to tell you something…and that is most likely that it is in need of a replacement.

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, or a combination of a few, call a professional plumber in right away. They will evaluate the water heater and let you know what your options are.